Cough syrup deaths: Medical representative of pharma company held in Madhya Pradesh

A medical representative of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, the Tamil Nadu-based manufacturer of an adulterated cough syrup linked to the death of 25 children in Madhya Pradesh, has been arrested in Chhindwara district, officers said on Tuesday (October 28, 2025).

Satish Verma was arrested in the early hours of Monday (October 27) in connection with the fatalities, according to the police.

The children died of renal failure allegedly after consuming ‘Coldrif’ cough syrup, which was found to be adulterated with over 46% Diethylene Glycol (DEG), a toxic industrial solvent.

With the arrest of Mr. Verma, a total of six people have been held so far in the case, including the owner of the pharma company, G. Ranganathan, and Dr. Praveen Soni, who prescribed the medicine to most of the children at his private hospital in Chhindwara’s Parasia block, Chhindwara Superintendent of Police (SP) Ajay Pandey told The Hindu.

“He [Mr. Verma] has been associated with the company for the past 30 years, and was its single point of contact in the region. During our investigation, evidence emerged that pointed towards negligence on his part,” Mr. Pandey said. 

“He was aware of the working conditions at Sresan Pharmaceuticals and still did not come forward to the authorities, even though deaths were being reported constantly,” the SP said.

The three other persons arrested in the case are linked with Dr. Soni, and the supply chain of the medicine in the district, Mr. Pandey said. He said that Mr. Verma had been remanded to police custody for two days by a court, while the other five accused were currently in judicial custody. 

Dr. Soni, who was also a paediatrician at the government-run Parasia Civil Hospital, was suspended by the State authorities. A Deputy Drug Controller, and two Drug Inspectors were also suspended over negligence in the matter. 

Earlier this month, tests by the drugs control authorities of Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh revealed the syrup was adulterated with DEG. The tragedy has prompted several States to ban the syrup, and alert their drug control authorities. 

The Tamil Nadu authorities have revoked the licence of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, and shut down the company.